I've been investigating the closure of the two Dennis Lab Schools. You can see a Catalogue of my Sources.
I sent 3 FOIA's on Aug 2, 2023, for different categories of records. They were:
I received an extension for each on August 9th, and responses to each on August 16th.
I am working to review these FOIA requests, which include many documents, some very length. So far, I've only reviewed about half of the Digital Maintenance Requests from the Dennis/Mosaic building over the last 4 or so years.
I intend to publish a report at a later time. This "article" is simply intended to share the documents.
For several items, I requested spreadsheet copies of information, but received PDFs instead. I intend to submit a Request for Review to the Illinois Public Access Counselor in hopes of obtaining spreadsheet copies regarding this and future requests.
Communications Response
No documents were returned for #6 or #7.
Buildings Response
No document for #7.
- Response Letter
- #1 - Dennis/Mosaic Digital Maintenance Requests. They were received as 4 documents. This is a combined singular document.
- #2 French/Kaleidoscope Digital Maintenance Requests. Also received as 4 documents, but combined into one for upload here.
- #3 & #4 & Nov 1, 2022 BOE Meeting Packet
- #5
- #6
- #8
Personnel Response
No documents for #5 or #8
Communications Request
- Robocalls, text messages, and emails to Dennis Families and staff regarding Dennis Structural Issues. These should include communications on June 19th related to the June 21st Special Board Meeting. These should include all other communications to Dennis Families & Staff regarding Dennis Structural Issues from February 7 - August 1, 2023. Please exclude any replies or forwards. I would only like the District's official message that is being sent. Do not send audio recordings of robocalls if scripts are available. Please include date/time such messages were sent and which group they were sent to (i.e. Dennis Family or Dennis Staff). Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs) if possible.
- Details (time, attendees), agenda, documents, audio/video recordings of a possible May 31st meeting and possible zoom call with Phillip Holthaus, BLDD, & Kent Metzger. Holthaus wrote to Metzger on May 31 at 7:22am "Please send a zoom invite for our meeting this morning. I will need to join the call from home." and Metzger forwarded that email to BLDD at 7:53. I'm looking for documents related to that meeting.
- A record of all zoom calls from June 1, 2022 through the date of this request. Each call should include details: date/time call started, length of call, attendees in the call, purpose of the call. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- Emails sent by Denise Swarthout regarding personal items that will not be packed from Dennis buildings, and any communications with regard to that announcement - such as communications between admins discussing this. This is prior to the OSHA complaint.
- All communications (text messages, emails, records of phone calls and any digital communications) regarding the OSHA complaint, related to Dennis. I do not need a copy of the letter that is posted on the DPS website.
- Any requests (whether email or an internal system) for and discussions about removing and/or installing a garfield playground. I believe Mrs. Morrison had requested a playground in 2021 or 2022, and i'd like that request. Please return emails containing the search terms "garfield" AND "playground" for Jan 1, 2021 - June 1, 2023.
- Any emails, text messages, record of phone calls, record of zoom (or other digital) meetings with Alltown Bus Service (and/or their representatives/employees) between May 30, 2023 and August 1, 2023.
- All emails sent or received by Kent Metzger on February 22, 2023 and February 23, 2023.
- All communications with ISBE or ROE regarding the 2013 HLS Surveys for Dennis (Mosaic) and French (Kaleidoscope). I believe these should be in IWAS. Please do not send the 2013 HLS Surveys themselves, as they are available online.
- All emails from/to any of the following individuals on June 18th, 2023 AND June 19th, 2023: Maria Robertson, Denise Swarthout, Dr. Rochelle Clark, Dr. Jay Marino, Deanne Hillman. Please exclude email sent to welisten@dps61.org from members of the public and from welisten@dps61.org to members of the public.
- All emails involving District business conducted through Dr. Curry's gmail address mcurryedu@gmail.com for May 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023.
- All emails to/from ISBE and ROE#39 about Dennis from February 7, 2023 - August 2, 2023. This should include but is not limited to:
- July 13 email with Derrick Langwith, and any replies, forwards, and later messages on that thread
- July 20 email with Dr. Jason Helfer, and any replies, forwards, and later messages on that thread.
- All emails to/from an isbe email address containing the words "dennis" OR "mosaic" OR "kaleidoscope"
- All emails to/from an ROE email address containing the words "dennis" OR "mosaic" OR "kaleidoscope"
- All emails containing the words "dennis" AND "demolition" or "dennis" AND "demolish" or "dennis" AND "tear down" or "dennis" AND "new building" from May 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023.
Personnel Request
- Employment history of Dr. Clark within the District - each position she held & the dates she served in each position. I've been told she was employed by the District during Gloria Davis's Tenure & expect records at least that far back. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- Same as #1, but for Kent Metzger
- Kent Metzger's calendar for Februay 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- Dr. Clark's calendar for February 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- Dr. Clark's browsing and search history for February 7, 2023; February 8, 2023; May 30, 2023; and May 31, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- A list of all staff at the Keil Building containing: Position/Title, Name, Email Address, Salary, Date hired or transferred to their current position, and whether full or part time. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
- Any documentation and/or emails and/or text messages and/or other digital communications related to an exit interview for Kelly Gross Morrison, former Garfield Principal.
- Dr. Clark's personal notes from the August 23, 2022 Board of Education Meeting
- A list of Masons and Foremen employed by the District from January 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023. I'd like names, title, and email address. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs)
Buildings Request
- digital maintenance requests submitted by staff, administration, or others at/for original Dennis/Mosaic from January 1, 2017 through the August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs). Please exclude photos, except for any requests related to the staircase which is now separating from the building.
- digital maintenance requests submitted by staff, administration, or others at/for original French Academy/Kaleidoscope from January 1, 2017 through August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs). Please exclude photos, except for any requests related to the parapet / wall that is now structurally unsound.
- Denise Swarthout detailed to me "The list is referencing projects the B&G department was scheduled to complete this school year, including window and door replacements, playground installation, etc." Please send that list, which is for School year 2022-2023.
- I heard that Garfield was on the list to receive a playground for the 22-23 school year. I'd like a copy of that list, if it is not the same list as the above item #3.
- Documentation related to the last re-roofing project at Kaleidoscope (Former French Academy). This should include any contract for work, purchase order, and any report/analyses from the construction/engineering firm.
- The Requisition and the Purchase order for the May 30th BFW inspection of Dennis Schools.
- The Requisition and the Purchase order for the June 1 (or thereabout) Klingner inspection of Dennis Schools.
- Record of Site-Based Expenditures for Garfield Learning Academy from May 30th, 2023 - August 1, 2023.